If you read the title of this post and found yourself scratching your head at the term ‘Balenciaga,’ please don’t be distraught. Balenciaga, as of late, certainly is not a brand you want any familiarity or affiliation with, and for good reason.
Balenciaga is a designer fashion brand sported by a shit ton of different celebrities, some of the brand’s most recognized ambassadors being the Kardashians, Kanye West, and Bella Hadid. Balenciaga has exploded in regard to popularity over the past few years, but their success came to a screeching halt as a result of their latest campaign which happens to exploit children.
Yes, you sadly did read that correctly.
Balenciaga’s recent campaign depicts young children (probably under the age of eight if I had to guess) holding stuffed animals dressed in literal bondage. Like, BDSM bondage. Take a look at the following image from The Indian Express.
Just a bit disturbing, right?
Understandably, the campaign ignited furious backlash when people started seeing these images of children holding stuffed animals dressed in bondage, and I’m not entirely sure if anything Balenciaga does after this train wreck of a marketing decision will revive the popularity they once had.
Something that doesn’t sit quite right with me, however, in addition to this shit show of a campaign, is how many celebrities who proudly sport and support the brand have remained silent on this issue, sending a message that sexualizing literal children is apparently acceptable according to today’s societal norms.
A few celebrities have publicly expressed their dismay and anger with Balenciaga’s campaign, but not nearly enough considering how many of them wear Balenciaga. A lot of the celebrities remaining mum on the matter have children of their own, I might add, which doesn’t exactly send a positive message if you ask me.
Considering how dominant cancel culture is in our current world, why hasn’t Balenciaga as a brand been cancelled entirely? Just a thought.
ontheedgeofeverything 
